Why you should embrace the hot resin home décor trend

From metal machinery à la steampunk to vinyl beanbags, furniture design boasts a creative past. And even with all the bells and whistles afforded to the industry, sometimes basic is best.

With its durability and lightweight nature, not to mention Insta-worthy visual appeal (river tables, we’re looking at you), resin material has been upgraded from the traditional go-to for outdoor décor to the superstar of indoor interior design.

“Resin is such a great material for a million reasons, one being that it’s incredibly durable and easy to care for,” says Boston designer Liz Caan. “Plus, it can look really cool.”

Those in the know are taking this elegantly smooth and captivatingly colorful material beyond backyard patio chairs and play structures. Resin art even graced the pages of Vogue in 2016, when Sabine Marcelis burst onto the scene with her Candy Cube resin side tables boasting price tags of $4,000.

What is resin?

When boiled down (literally and figuratively), resin is actually just plastic. The highly viscous substance is converted from a liquid to a solid when exposed to heat or to another substance. It’s this transformation that gives it the enviable traits of resiliency and being lightweight.

The love list in favor of resin art and furniture is long: It stands up to the elements (read: kids and pets), retains its shape, is easy to clean, and can look good for years.

Modern resin art’s raison d'être is to start a conversation. Just one glance at the retro vibe of Los Angeles-based artist and designer Elyse Graham’s raw composite resin one-of-a-kind Retrograde coffee tables and you’ll agree.

Resin’s material properties allow it to be what you want it to be, in a variety of styles, shades, and sizes. You can play it up as big or as little as you want.

Introduce your home to resin with accent pieces

To start small using resin, Caan suggests designing with sculptures. “[They] are less of a commitment than a bigger piece of furniture,” she explains. Look for small tabletop accessories, such as pedestal bowls, small resin art pieces like coasters, or candlesticks.

“Resin is also warmer and softer than stone, so I tend to use it a lot in a bathroom, mostly for accessories,” says Caan, tapping Waterworks and Tina Frey for their super chic resin bath accessories like waste baskets and Frey’s mod resin shower benches.

Resin furniture can stand out in your living space

When employing resin art, you definitely don’t have to stick with accent pieces. Instead, invest in one or two showstoppers like epic chairs or a long dining room centerpiece.

“Resin is incredible for tables, especially for large surfaces, so you can avoid seaming, which is difficult to do with other naturally occurring materials,” adds Caan.

Some designers blend resin within wood forms to create gorgeously intricate and organic forms and patterns as the tabletop.

Resin chairs, such as these Birch Sapling dining chairs or this Ripple chaise lounge, can also create chic seating options for a more modern and minimalistic décor.

Perfect for a sitting room bathed in natural light, resin wicker patio furniture, like a set of chairs and coffee table can add the levity that heavy pieces don’t.

If you’re the type of person who entertains frequently or grows weary of your same old room layout, resin art could also be a saving grace. Its lightweight nature translates to spontaneous design changes, even when your moving team consists of just you and your imagination.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.